Sauna Tuomisaari

AOR Architects

Architect Erkko Aarti
Location Tuomisaari, Luhanka
Gross Area 30 m²
Completion 2023

Sauna Tuomisaari is located on the remote island of the Lake Päijänne next to an old log building. The design fades the boundary between indoor and outdoor space creating a more spacious atmosphere and enabling the possibility to enjoy the nature even in bad weather. A footbridge connects the new cabin and the log hut.

The dark frame structure formed by the building’s roof and facades surrounds the sauna built in a box of logs. The stairs leading to the attic, a small entrance and a bunk bed are also located in the log frame. A glass-walled attic is located on the top. The trees of the log frame have been cut from own forest. A small dining area is located aside the log box with glass walls to the lake and to the forest. On the other side, there is a narrow outdoor space for cooling off after the sauna. The kitchen, fireplace, outdoor storage and a four-metre-high space for the outdoor shower are integrated into the dark frame. The building is founded on concrete columns. LVL-beams support the long span of the roof, and the diagonal ridge beam is supported by a steel column.

The roof ridge running diagonally from corner to corner of the building forms a sail-like ceiling creating variation in room height. Long eaves protect the large terrace and its log surfaces and shade the glass walls from the hot sun. The sauna benches are built in a similar way to the log structures. The water basin integrated into the benches also functions as a light fixture, reflecting light through the water onto the ceiling. A frameless window in the sauna opens up a long panoramic view to the lake. ↙

Text Erkko Aarti

Photos Erkko Aarti